Pot Noodle 80s power ballad ad accused of sexism
LONDON - The ad watchdog has received 10 complaints that Pot Noodle's new TV campaign featuring a parody of a 1980s power ballad is sexist and portrays women as sexual objects.
The Advertising Standards Authority has just begun to receive complaints about the ad, created by Mother London. It broke earlier this week on ITV1 during the Uefa Champions League clash between Liverpool and Chelsea.
ADVERTISEMENT
One of the complainants said the ad was "offensive and demeaning to women... misogynistic and portrays women as sexual objects". The ASA will decide next week if it will investigate the complaints.
The 60-second ad is part of the snack's new "Pot Noodle says..." marketing campaign, which features fictional musical duo, Steve and Digger.
The ad shows the characters singing a song, which ponders why the women they love can't be more like a Pot Noodle snack -- quick and simple.
The "Pot Noodle Says..." campaign was first launched earlier this month on satellite channels, featuring Digger and Steve performing the 'Moussaka Rap'.
Both ads were directed by Taika Waititi, the director of New Zealand comedy hit 'Eagle Vs Shark'.
Pot Noodle: complaints about 'sexist' ad
Tags
- Food |
- United Kingdom |
- Scotland |
- England |
- FMCG |
- Europe |
- Wales |
- Northern Ireland |
- Branding |
- Advertising
Jobs
- Digital Content Manager, Sage UK Limited
- , North East England
- Account Manager, Livewire PR
- £27-33K, West London
- MARKETING MANAGER :: INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY COMPANY, Dylan*
- Up to £55k + fantastic bens, Central London
- STAFFING AGENCY :: INTEGRATED AGENCY, Dylan*
- ,
Comments
Sean Murricane - 25/04/2008
Hmn - I doubt these complaints will stand up, especially compared to the other ads out there at the moment...
Rory Sutherland - 25/04/2008
10 Complaints - hardly a bursting mailbag, is it?
RACHEL DUTTON - 26/04/2008
unfortunately it only takes one to take it off air, as long as they have a valid point but to be honest theyre wrong anyway. Its not demeening to women its demeening to men! it saying that women are too stong minded and willed for these men to handle! So i guess its the way you look at it, the people who complained are probably the ones who are just looking to complain about anything!
RACHEL DUTTON - 26/04/2008
unfortunately it only takes one to take it off air, as long as they have a valid point but to be honest theyre wrong anyway. Its not demeening to women its demeening to men! it saying that women are too stong minded and willed for these men to handle! So i guess its the way you look at it, the people who complained are probably the ones who are just looking to complain about anything!
A D Crosthwaite - 27/04/2008
Its biggest sin is having a crap song. Hardly the anthem the idea calls for.
B Agotcha - 28/04/2008
The characters in the ad sing why can't women be "quick and simple" implying they are anything but. Surely a compliment to female folk? Meanwhile the male characters are portrayed as simpering fools, not exactly prime examples of the male species. If anyone should feel offended, it should be men folk.